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Monthly Archives: August 2015

Power Up is a retro video game convention started by Ben Durfee (artist and co-owner of Rare Drops) last year and it returns this year to the River Side Conference Center of the Big Sandy Superstore Arena on Saturday August 29th from 10am to 8pm in Huntington.

The Standard Nerds and Brawl-a-thon will be running the tournaments for this year. All tournaments will be $5 to enter with a cap of 32 players. All proceeds will be going to the Extra Life Charity (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital).

The tournaments are Super Smash Bros Melee at 1pm, Amiibo at 3pm, and Mario Kart Double Dash on the Game Cube at 4pm.

They will have several systems and arcade machines set on free play for all to play.

There will also be panels this year from Bunny Bombshell on cosplay, Manual Fox on Youtube/Twitch streaming, one on game cleaning and repair, D20 Girls Project doing one on girls and gaming, and Lasso Games will be demoing their new game Laventera and the game creation process. At 6pm the D20 will be running a costume contest.

There will be lots of exhibitors selling various video games, video systems, video game peripherals, collectibles, books, art prints, pixel art, crafts, jewelry, bake goods, and more. Several will be willing to buy or trade any games you might have to get rid of.

Admission is only $5, pay at door only, and free for kids 12 and under.

If you love old games this the place to check out to play, shop, and just hang out with fellow fans.

Gaming will include Magic tournaments hosted by Nerducopia, West Virginia Pathfinder Society, a table top and retro gaming libraries and demos. The costume contest is Sunday at 3pm. Sign-up at the Illusive Skull booth at the con.

Admission is $10 for each day or $18 for two days. Children under 10 get in free with an adult. You can purchase before hand online or at Comic Paradise Plus in Fairmont or Westover.

They will have film screenings from Blind Wave, Jeffrey Richards Last Conversation, and a live recording of Figure Fourcast. A panel on sci-fi and fantasy concepts will be held at 3pm with several creators giving their thoughts. Their costume contest will be at 2pm with four categories; Best Child, Best Adult, Best Craftsmanship, and Most Original. There will also be free activities for the kids to do.

Admission is only $5 and free for those 12 and under. River City has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County. For each paid attendee, the con will donate fifty cents to the club. Parking at the hotel is free.

Small local con with lots of good people to meet and get to know. Worth the trip if you can make it.